Magazine of the „Agropuzzle 3 project – Issus II

Project

„Agropuzzle 3 - Puzzle for businessmen in agriculture carrying business in a

permanently maintainable way III –

2016-1-CZ01-KA202-023864”

Program: ERASMUS PLUS

Key Action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Action Type: Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Faculty of Agriculture – USAMV Bucharest

21st – 25th May 2018

ABOUT THE PROJECT

“Agropuzzle 3 - Puzzle for businessmen in agriculture carrying business in a

permanently maintainable way III” is a project of partnership in the Erasmus plus program, Key

Action: Cooperation for innovation and exchange of good practices, Action Type: Strategic

Partnerships for vocational education and training aimed at developing, updating and

supplementing profiles pecific skills and training in sustainable agriculture and agribusiness.

The coordinator is: Masarykova střední škola zemědělská a Vyšší odborná škola Opava,

Czech Republic. There are partner organisations from: Poland - Agrarian Chamber of Opole;

Portugal - Regional Agency for Rural Development; Spain - Asociación Escuela de Negocios del

Pirineo; Romania - University and Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest

USAMVB; Bulgaria - University of Ruse, and Czech Republic – Natura Opava Organization.

This project prepares relevant conditions and encourages individuals in the field of

agribusiness and farming. Also, targets the exchange of experiences as well as the increase of

practical self-confidence, promotion of professional development and growth of the participants

who will work together on issues such as farming, support of rural environments, agro-business

in selected small family farms, their stories and background. It is expected to identify examples

of good practice for all participating countries as serve as source of inspiration for people in

different regions, as well as local or regional communities of seven partner organizations.

The “Agropuzzle 3” project is generally aimed at keeping the topic of agriculture alive.

Agricultural production provides us with our daily bread. It is really necessary to appreciate

everyone who nowadays deals with real work that feeds all of us. It is really necessary to teach

the next generation to follow those principles. The next generation should be given the

opportunity to learn about new trends and innovations from other EU countries so that the young

people can compare these aspects and use the experience as inspiration for their own work.

Another goal is about linking the know-how of partners from the EU countries, the professional

diversity and specificity of individual countries, exchange of experience, possibility to compare

the level of supporting the agriculture and farming, working conditions and marketing strategy.

The spectre of partners is stacked in such way that the organizations mutually discuss and

inspire each other; there are representatives of educational institutions (e.g. theoretical

organizations) as well as representatives of professional organizations (e.g. those from open

practice area). This project can perfectly gather the interdisciplinary knowledge and experience

of the participants to the profit of the partner organizations and their entire local communities.

PROGRAM OF ROMANIAN MOBILITY

21st-25

th of May 2018

Monday

21st of May

09:00

Visit at vegetable organic farm - Happy Vegetables – Tartasesti village, Dambovita County

Visit at organic products shop and processing unit - Rawboost Smart Food – Targoviste city

Visit at organic blue berry farm - Merry Berry – I.L Caragiale village

Lunch

Accomodation at Radsor hotel and Waldburg Pension - Rasnov city, Brasov County

Dinner at Radsor hotel

Tuesday 22sd

of May

08:45

Departure from Radsor hotel to City Hall Rasnov

Meeting at Rasnov City Hall

Rasnov Citadel Visit

Lunch at trout farm Valea Glajeriei

Trout farm visit – Valea Glajeriei

Visit the Rasnov Ski Jump in Sports Complex

Visit of Valea Cetatii Cave – The Philharmonic of Brasov concert

Wednesday 23rd

of May

09:00

Departure to Bran Castle

Visit of Bran Castle

Visit of Codlea region – animal husbandry farms (cows for milk, for meet, turkeys) -

Visit the turkey farm –“Penes curcanul”

Visit the bulls for meat “Oxville”

Lunch

Visit at units of milk processing, traditional products, traditional products tasting -

Visit the cows of milk farm “Nemeth Attila”

Civic Education of children in Rasnov city

Farrewell Dinner at Promenada restaurant, Rasnov city

Thursday 24th

of May

09:00

Departure to Brasov city

Visit of Brasov County Council

Visit of Transilvania University from Brasov, Faculty of Forestry and Forestry Exploitation,

Zoological Museum/ Hunting Museum, Dendrometry Lab

Lunch

Free time in Brasov – Visit to the Black Church, City Hall Square, First Romanian School from

Scheii Brasov

Visit of Poiana Brasov (Optional)

Friday – 25th of May

08:45

Visit at Bear Reservation of Zarnesti

Visit at Panicel Agropension and Equestrian Center - Rasnov

Lunch

Departure to Bucharest

ABOUT THE HOST ORGANIZATION

UNIVERSITY OF AGRONOMIC SCIENCES AND VETERINARY

MEDICINE OF BUCHAREST

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

The Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Agronomic Sciences and

Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest (USAMVB) was established in 1852 and is the

oldest and the most prestigious higher education institution in Agronomic sciences

in Romania, with a rich experience in teaching and scientific research activities,

both on national and international levels.

This faculty organizes and

provides high level of Bachelor,

Master and Doctorate studies,

training specialists in the fields of

Agronomy, Forestry and Biology.

The scientific research activities

focus on the fields of agriculture,

food safety and security,

environment, forestry and biology.

Training of students at

Bachelor cycle is carried out in two

curricula developed through full

time and part-time courses for

Agriculture and Forestry

specializations, with a 4-year study

duration. After the final

examination, graduates obtain

Diplomas of Agriculture Engineer

and Forestry Engineer.

The third specialization is

Biology, developed through full

time and part-time courses with a

3-year study duration and after final

examination graduates obtain the

title of Bachelor in Biology.

Graduates have the

opportunity to continue their studies

within a 2-year Master Cycle in

four study programs: Sustainable

Agriculture, Agricultural

Extension, Management and

Expertise of Land Fund,

Protection of Agroecosystems and

Phytosanitary Expertise. After graduation, they receive the title of Master of

Sciences.

Studies can be pursued within a 3-year Doctoral (PhD) Training Cycle, at

the end of which the PhD candidates

defend their PhD thesis and receive

the scientific title of Doctor in

Agronomy.

The graduates of the Faculty

of Agriculture acquire skills that

help them meet labour market

requirements for the following

sectors of activity: farming, services, scientific research, secondary and tertiary

education, expertise and consulting,

agribusiness, insurance,

administration and integrated

management of agricultural

production, forestry and rural space.

The Faculty of Agriculture is

located within the university

campus in Bucharest, which

includes several education and

scientific research facilities (auditoriums, laboratories, seminar rooms), thematic

museums, libraries, didactical collections (field crops, vegetables, fruit, vines),

sports hall, hostels for students.

The faculty laboratories are equipped with modern, specific and necessary

equipment for a good development of practical activities, scientific research and

technological development.

For practical training activities and scientific research purposes, the Faculty

of Agriculture benefits from the University training and experimental farms, with a

total area of 8200 ha.

The Faculty of Agriculture experimental fields enjoy different pedoclimatic

conditions which enable the development of research programs and field checking

of laboratory-obtained results.

Pietroşani (Teleorman) - 665 ha

Băneasa (Bucureşti) - 340 ha

Moara Domnească (Ilfov) - 595 ha

Belciugatele (Călăraşi) - 1600 ha

Drumul Subţire (Călăraşi) - 2200 ha

Pietroasele–Tohani (Buzău) - 420 ha

Feteşti (Ialomiţa) - 1380 ha

The assumed missions of the Faculty of Agriculture in Bucharest are

education and scientific research through advanced study programs at all

undergraduate and postgraduate levels in order to meet the challenges of a

developing society.

In achieving its mission, the Faculty of Agriculture in Bucharest ensures the

education and training of specialists, so that they can use scientific, technical,

cultural and humanistic knowledge alowing them to contribute to the

technological, economic, social and cultural development of the Romanian society.

Thus, our Faculty seeks to generate knowledge through research,

development, innovation and technology transfer, high level training and by

attracting best specialists and young people with a high potential for training and

scientific activities.

The Faculty of Agriculture is made up of two departments:

- Department of Soil Sciences, with a total of 23 teachers and the following

divisions: Soil Sciences, Agronomical Engineering, Agrochemistry,

Agricultural Mechanization, Forestry;

- Department of Crops Sciences, with a total of 28 teachers and the following

divisions: Field Crops Production, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Plant

Protection, Biology.

The relations within external partnerships with similar institutions abroad

made possible European program mobility of students and teachers by European

programs such as Tempus, PHARE, PECO INCO-FAIR, INCO-COPERNICUS,

Leonardo da Vinci, FP5, FP6, FP7, Socrates, Erasmus, Erasmus plus, Content, e-

Content plus, actively participating in the development of the European Higher

Education Space. Development of a strong scientific school in the field of

agriculture at the level of contemporary performance, participation in projects of

high scientific interest and contribution to the affirmation of original and effective

international system of values is a priority task of the Faculty of Agriculture from

Bucharest.

“HAPPY VEGETABLE” ORGANIC FARM

The first farm visited was the organic farm "Happy vegetables" located in Tartăşeşti,

Dâmboviţa County. The family Bulegoaia has presented us the activities of farm, the

greenhouses with vegetables (tomatoes, pepper, onion, asparagus, potatoes, etc), also the races

produced on the farm and aromatic plants.

The farmer access EU funds for modernization and develop of activities. On the farm

work the family and 5-6 seasonal workers from the commune. The production it’s used only for

local market by selling directly and fresh to customers who came at farm, or by Internet.

We tested some products of farmer, juice of sambucus, and gem of strawberry. The

products were very appreciated by the participants.

RAWBOOST SMART FOOD SRL

The next stop of our visits was RAWBOOST SMART FOOD SRL. It is a family

business with organic products, located in Targoviste, Dambovita County. The owner told about

the products he has them on sale. The unit produce nutritional supplements, detoxification

products, ecological products, superfoods. Also, process and sell these products online, creating

their own recipes for a healthy lifestyle.

The idea of setting up this type of store came after the owners went to Tibet and seriously

documented the benefits of these types of food. Owners aim to restructure the lifestyle specific to

the place we live in; to bring it up to date, to adapt local natural ingredients to the latest scientific

discoveries about nutrition.

During the visit the participants were able to taste the products, such as hot chocolate

from coconut and cocoa flakes, as well as banana flakes, dried fruits and coconut butter.

MERRY BERRY FARM

The farm Merry Berry is situated in Mija village, Dambovita County. It is the largest

organic cranberry farm in Romania, in the first year of certification. The MerryBerry farm has

entered the conversion period to organic farming in 2017. It is certified by the Certrom

inspection and certification body. It currently owns 100 ha of blueberries, which make this farm

the largest plantation in Romania. Until 2019, they want to increase their surface by cultivating

another 100 ha. The farm was set up by accessing European funds, both for the implementation

of the irrigation system, but also for the establishment of the plantation. Three young horticulture

engineers work on the farm, and seasonal workers come from the villages adjacent to the farm.

As a perspective, the farm wants to set up a plantation of about 50 ha with rasberries and also

build a fruit storage space.

The participants the participants were very interested to learn about the blueberries

technology of cultivation, about the access to European funds, and also, about the problems

encountered with the finding of the qualified workforce in the area, as well as those related to the

construction of the storage areas.

RASNOV TOWN

After the three organic vegetable farms were visited, the participants continued their

journey to Rasnov. Râșnov is a town in Brașov County, Romania with a population of 15,466. It

is located about 15 km from the city of Brașov and about the same distance from Bran, on the

road that links Wallachia and Transylvania.

The surface of Rasnov is 15,140.71 ha, of which the urban area currently occupies only

7.37%. After land use, the largest area is occupied by forests (48%), followed by arable land

(15%). The town of Râşnov is part of the Central Region, whose main feature is the variety of

relief, predominantly mountainous, with a high potential for tourism and development of animal

husbandry, but also with areas of plateau and meadow suitable for agricultural crops. As regards

the contribution by economic sectors to the turnover, the largest share is held by the

Manufacturing (49.82%), followed by Trade (25.42%) and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

(7.29%). Tourism development has led to significant increases in specific and related sectors:

hotels and restaurants, entertainment, cultural and recreational activities, construction activities

and real estate agencies.

RASNOV CITY HALL

Tuesday morning began with a visit to the Rasnov City Hall. The participants were

received by the mayor Liviu Catalin Butnariu and vice-mayor Mariana Ducar. They provided us

some information about the Rasnov City, the activities and concerns of the local administration,

but also the problems they face.

Rasnov is the third resort of national

interest in Braşov county after Poiana

Braşov and Predeal. The city

obtained this status on the basis of

fulfilling mandatory criteria of

attestation such as the location in a

natural environment without

pollution, the existence of urban-

utilitarian utilities, the existence of

tourism information and promotion services, as well as the fulfillment of additional criteria for

attestation of the tourist resort, such as the existence of theaters, cinemas, parks, sports facilities,

tourist information centers, tourism, cultural, and sports events.

The development strategy of the Rasnov City Hall is focused on improving the lives of its

inhabitants: modernizing and expanding the communication ways, providing the best

infrastructure and, last but not least, promoting the town at national and international level. For

this, City Hall considers it a duty and the highlight of some extremely important values for the

image of a community and not only. Also, the City Hall promote true history, multiculturality of

places, but also finding ways to respect the tourist's right to fun. Thus, tourism becomes an

investment area that the City Hall places in the highest priority area. Even in the vicinity of a

commercial myth, Dracula, Râşnov wants to offer its citizens something else.

Also, the City Hall development projects with internal and external financing include:

improving the urban environment and preserving, protecting and sustainable valorisation of

cultural heritage, preserving and protecting, promoting and developing the natural and cultural

heritage; increasing the contribution of the Rasnov Citadel to the economic development of

Rasnov and Brasov in general by attracting an increased number of visitors with an annual rate

of 7%; capitalizing on Rasnov Citadel by asserting and presenting historical and cultural

significance, using specific cultural marketing strategies and tools.

The objectives resulted from this visit were: the importance of decision-makers in the

development and promotion of existing resources and local traditions, permanent concern for

initiating new business ideas for small entrepreneurs, as well as a permanent connection with the

rural community and the civil society in the area; encouraging the development of local

entrepreneurship that can help increase productivity and, on this basis, increase the standard of

living of the inhabitants of the visited areas; capitalizing on existing opportunities in the area that

can increase profits for economic activities.

RÂȘNOV CITADEL

To reach the Rasnov Citadel, the participants climbed the sloping slope built from

Rasnov City Hall Funds. The participants deserved the visit to see the history of the fortress and

the surrounding area, plus the city views. Râșnov Citadel is a historic monument and was built as

part of a defence system for the Transylvanian villages exposed to outside invasions. A decisive

aspect for building the citadel on the actual location was the route of the invading armies which

were coming from the Bran pass and were passing through Râșnov, on their way to Burzenland.

The only chance of survival for the inhabitants of the area, inclusively from Cristian and

Ghimbav, was the refuge inside the citadel. Compelled to stay there for decades, the people of

Râșnov and the nearby villages turned the fortification into a dwelling.

Today, inside the citadel there is a museum which briefly presents slices from the local

history, the area's habits and crafts, and also gathers pieces and weapons from the inhabitants

past. The exhibition contains the following sections: document photocopies, weapons, tools,

stamps and period objects.

RASNOV SKI JUMP IN SPORTS COMPLEX RASNOV

At Rasnov was inaugurated the largest ski jumping trampoline in Romania, in 2012. The

investment of the City Hall and other companies was 15 million euros, and the trampoline is in

the complex on Cărbunari Valley, one of the sports facilities where the Olympic Youth Olympic

Festival.

The whole ski jumping complex consists of four hills, with K-points of 90, 64, 35 and 15

meters, respectively.

These trampolines for ski jumping built in this area, will bring Romania back to this kind

of competitions in the world.

GLAJERIA VALLEY TROUT FARM

The next farm visited was a trout farm,

from Glajeriei Valley. The owner is a young

enthusiast who has developed his own business,

and is still at the beginning.

The farmer specified to us that to install

a trout, the essential prerequisite condition is

the presence of adequate water, both

qualitatively and quantitatively. It must contain

oxygen (7mg / liter), have a pH 7, without

much iron. The feeding of trout basins should

provide total water replenishment, several times

a day, and the water temperature to be 8-10

degrees for juveniles, and for 18-degree

growing trout.

The all production goes to local market.

Clients come from all over the country for live

trout in any quantity, rainbow or fountain of the

best quality and at the best price! Take into account the proper nutrition needed for the proper

development of these cold-blooded animals, their reproduction and maturity in a propitious

environment and in mountain water.

Participants have tasted the traditional products obtained from the trout, respectively,

smoked trout in their own smoked fish, fish soup and trout brine.

THE VALEA CETATII CAVE

The Valea Cetatii Cave (within the natural protected area with same name) is an

outstanding touristic attraction located only minutes away from the Râşnov Citadel, 1.5 m

away from the Râşnov city and .5 km from Poiana Braşov (very famous touristic station).

During the visit to the fortress cave, administered by the Rasnov City Hall, the

participants had the great opportunity to listen to a concert held by the instrumentalists of the

Symphonic Orchestra in Brasov.

BRAN VILLAGE

BRAN CASTLE

Bran is located in the north-eastern part of Brasov County, at the entrance to the Rucar-

Bran corridor and has altitudes between 700-900 m.

Nowadays, the Bran has started to develop rapidly, all this evolution gravitating around

the Bran Castle, the place that gave so much interest, considering that here would be the

vampire's place, the place where Vlad Tepes, surnamed Dracula.

The beautiful villas, carefully arranged, the homes permanently prepared for the guests

offer tourists unforgettable days. An important tourist attraction is the castle with the same name,

an architectural monument of great historical value. Rural settlements in the immediate vicinity

and preserves of old ethnographic and folk traditions such as Simon, Moeciu, Cheia, Fundata and

Sirnea offer the opportunity to know the hospitality of the Romanian people.

Bran Castle (located in the centre of Bran) - is home to the Bran museum, which lies on

the 4 floors of the castle. The participants could see ceramic, furniture, weapons and armour

collections and the village museum, located in the courtyard of the castle.

THE OXVILLE CATTLE MEET FARM

The Oxville Family Company started its activity in 1994. It has expanded its activities in

the field of livestock and poultry breeding, and since 2015 the bulls have started to grow for

meat production, thus diversifying the production of the companies that are part of this group.

Also here was the production of compound feed for various farm animal species.

The group's activity is complemented

by the tourist services it provides to those

interested in the Bran guesthouses.

Over the years, each activity has been

developed through the upgrading and

upgrading of production capacities through

investments amounting to several million

euros, from own sources, as well as from

European funds. The Oxville farm from

Codlea benefited from a budget of over 1.5

million euros. The farm owns 80 heads and

administers in an organic system 80 hectares

of land supplying livestock. The acquisition

for the first popular farm was made

exclusively from Romania. The breed is the

Siemental type. Animals on sale reach the

weight of over 600 kg.

The animals are slaughtered in

specialized slaughterhouses and the meat is

destined for export to the Arab countries, the USA or Germany.

BRADCOD COMPANY - TURKEY MEAT -

This company is the largest

turkey meat producer in Romania. The

director of farm present us the shelters

for turkeys. The turkeys are grown with

cereals, forage fodder and vegetable oils,

which ensures a great quality of meat.

Farm capacity reaches 1,200,000

head per year, which means approx.

17,000 tons of live meat per year. The

company also has partnerships with other

farms in the county for approx. 4000 tons

of meat per year, farms with the same

feeding conditions, sanitary veterinary

monitoring by authorized persons of our

company.

The company is expanding the

staff considerably, as soon as the

company will recruit (hired) farms and

slaughterhouses, with priority for the

inhabitants of Codlea municipality.

The company is concerned with

the welfare of birds on each link in the

production chain: the growth and

fattening of turkeys, the transport to the

slaughterhouse and the actual

slaughtering process.

For this purpose, besides the

forage transport machines combined with

pneumatic unloading, we also purchased

specialized machines for transporting

turkeys from farms to the slaughterhouse.

FAMILY FARM “NEMET ATTILA” - FARM OF COWS FOR MILK

The farm was set up in 2011 through a European-funded project.

He holds 40 cows, the Holstein-type Bălţată Românească.

On the farm work is a family of three people and sometimes a seasonal worker.

Feed is produced on the 40 ha farm property, grown with corn grain, corn for silo,

lucerne, fodder legume, wheat and oat. The basement has a capacity of 80 cows and is equipped

with curtains, cuticles and plows.

The farm is equipped with milking equipment with automatic retreat and washing unit.

Mulch is performed by one person twice a day.

The milk production is about 30 litres / day / per head of animal.

After milking, the milk is introduced directly into the cooling tank without getting in

contact with the air, which eliminates the risk of contamination with the external environment.

Milk is redeemed directly from the farm, kindergartens and schools in the area, as well as

processed products.

The range of processed products includes traditional products such as cumin cheese, or

herbs and peppers, or smoked cheeses. The participants have possibilities to taste these products,

and appreciated very much the taste of these products.

BRASOV CITY AND CONSEIL COUNTY

Thursday began with a visit to the county council of Brasov. The president of the county

council and the spokesperson presented us some aspects about Brasov county and the most

impressive city, Brasov city, as well as the vision for the development of the county.

The development perspectives of the county are focused on the development of human

capital, a economic activities, the implementation of basic infrastructure to quality standards and

function in accordance with the development needs of the county's inhabitants.

Also emphasized the focus on the most efficient use of all existing physical and human

resources, respecting the principles of sustainable development, in order to achieve economic

development and which will lead to the long-term increase in the quality of life of the population

of Brasov County. The basic orientation is the valorisation of the strong points (natural, vast

frame cultural heritage, prepared human capital, university center of tradition) using the

identified growth opportunities (existence of non - reimbursable funds) and reducing the

weaknesses (lack of major transport infrastructure, lack of utilities) base, high unemployment

rate, migration of the young domestic and foreign population) thus minimizing in the long run

the negative effects that can block development (population aging, large numbers of social

benefits, lack of new investments, departure investors).

THE COUNCIL SQUARE

Brasov's showpiece Piata Sfatului (Council

Square), known to the Saxon population as the

Marktplatz, is one of the most beautiful main

squares of Romania. Fully pedestrianised, the

square was refurbished a couple of years ago. It has

never looked better.

All around the square are sturdy houses

with high lofts for storing goods, though few - if

any - are still lived in. In the middle of the square is

the Old City Hall, dating from 1420.

Elsewhere in Piata Sfatului you will find a number of places to eat and drink (all of which have

terraces in summer), and the startling Romanian Orthodox Cathedral at No. 3. The square hosts the

Carpathian Stag Music Festival (once the city's biggest annual event, but now held infrequently) and there

is usually some kind of craft market too. No bargains, but plenty of good souvenir fodder.

THE BLACK CHURCH

The Black Church is the most photographed building in Romania and has more than

250,000 visitors every year. Besides its history and its imposing dimensions, it also has some

unique attractions. The most important piece of the interior of the Black Church is the Buchholz

organ, which has turned 179 years old. The Black Church is the largest bell in Romania, a bronze

bell weighing 6,300 kilos.

FIRST ROMANIAN SCHOOL MUSEUM

Housed on the grounds of St. Nicholas Church, this was for centuries one of the leading

learning centres of the Romanian people. The printing press that opened here in 1556 produced

some of the first books written in Romanian.

The museum hosts a compelling legacy: more than 4,000 rare books (many printed or

copied by hand right here), several hundred rare documents, the oldest Bible (printed on goat's

skin) and much more.

TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY OF BRASOV

THE FACULTY OF FORESTRY AND FOREST EXPLOITATION IN BRASOV

The participants received information about the

Faculty of Forestry, about the projects and specializations

of the faculty, about the importance of this specialization

in the area of Brasov.

They have also provided useful information about

the efforts and efforts of this faculty to raise students'

awareness of the preservation and appreciation of local

and international cultural and scientific values. There are

several research projects that include specialists from the

University Library and the Faculty of Forestry, whose

purpose is to capitalize on the old collections of this

faculty (especially old-fashioned collections, plants, technical objects, dendrological collections,

cinegetic collections).

ZARNESTI RESERVATION OF BEARS - LIBEARTY BEAR SANCTUARY

During the visit, the participants could find information about

this reservation, which is not a zoo.

Established in 2005, the sanctuary was opened from time to

time to the public in 2008. The Reservation stretches over an area of

69 hectares of lush forests, paries and ponds located on the territory

of Zarnesti, a town located at the foot of the Carpathians, near

Brasov. It is the first natural reserve for captive bears in Romania.

The Libearty sanctuary was created in the memory of the

Maya bear and is home to many European brown bears and an Asian

black bear, all bears being saved from a cruel and abusive life of

captivity.

Most of the bears in the reserve have been saved from the

most miserable and tiny cages, being just a fun motive for

restaurants, hotels, factories, gas stations, circuses or even

monasteries.

A large central sanctuary building contains staff areas, storage

and preparation areas for food for the bears, the veterinary clinic and

a number of quarantine dens for new or sick bears. Although the

bears feed on the vegetation, nuts and berries available in the forest,

they do need additional food and the sanctuary staff distribute over a

tonne of fruit and vegetables a day around the sanctuary enclosures.

The sanctuary has CCTV cameras on all fences so the staff can monitor the behaviour of

the bears and also keep an eye on any visitors to the sanctuary.

PANICEL AGROPENSION AND EQUESTRIAN CENTER

On the last day of mobility, the participants could

admire the natural beauties of the Panicel Agropension,

located on the valley of the same name. They were also

able to find interesting information about horses growing

in the farm and about other agro-tourism or entertainment

activities that the complex offers to those interested.

Among the facilities and services offered by

Panicel we can mention: a dining room with a bar

equipped with solid wood furniture, a fireplace and an

audio installation. Tourists can enjoy dinner consisting of

organic products obtained in the own farm of the complex,

sauna, terrace, gazebo, children's playground, wireless

internet, conference room, smokers, table tennis, billiards,

ping-pong, darts and bar, and guarded parking.

The Equestrian Center started its activity a few

years ago. It has a covered horse riding arena, which is a

new, unique construction in the area, built up to international standards. The center works with

eight horses, two Fresian fingers and three ponies.